I'm 18, and I'm new to Paganism--I was raised a Catholic, and for the last year and half have been reading up on different religions, but have felt but have found Paganism to be not only more in tune to the truth of life, and concordant with my beliefs, but also a much saner religion than many out there. But I have a question---

Do you have to believe in magic to be a Pagan or Wiccan? I don't believe in magic in the traditional sense, as in spells and whatnot, more along the lines of energy, the way our individual energy interacts, or in some cases, manipulates the reality of our world. I believe everyone has that energy, some moreso tha n others, or some who have tapped into the magic within themselves more than others. But is it necessary or mandatory by any means to believe in spells and whatnot to be a Pagan or Wiccan?

I don't know how others would put it, but as an Eclectic Pagan, I don't believe that anything is truly mandatory. Beyond a measure of belief, I'd say.

I don't care for Rituals b/c they all seem, to me, to be more about showing off and less about the purpose. I guess, i need to amend that to be group/public rituals.

I don't believe that spells are 100% necessary, nor do I think that you have to word blessings and stuff exactly the way that those in the books do.

But, all religions seem to need a level of pomp and circumstance.

I weave energy, and I speak to the Guardians and the Divine. that's about as far as I care to go.

Remember, not all Pagans are Wiccan. Wicca is a religion of its own that seems to have a lot of casting, crafting and ritual to it, if the books I've read are accurate. "Pagan" is more an umbrella term for the various polytheistic and nature-honoring faiths that exist. To be Wiccan, in a coven, you probably need to believe that the spells and rituals are necessary. To be solitary anything, I think, you carve your own path.

Can you tell me about the Guardians? I believe in veneration of Ancestors, not to go on a ramble, but I've actually prayed to the spirit of one of my ancestors--It was when my cousin, whom my deceased relative had watched and babysat while he was alive, had had a very very bad heart attack and it looked very likely that he would die. It was his second heart attack in less than ten years, he had a complete blockage. I prayed to my ancestor to watch him, keep him safe, and to intercede with the Gods for his life..And my cousin lived. I'm not saying it was on me, but I do think certain spirits, perhaps of our ancestors, watch over and protect us, and can intercede with the Gods for us. Sorry for the ramble/rant.

In conclusion haha, I believe there are Guardian spirits. Are the Guardians the same concept as Guard spirits?

Well, as I'm what I consider an Elemental Witch, the Guardians I usually deal with and speak of are the Guardians of the Pure Elements. Earth, Fire, Air, Water. The Divine provides the Spirit.

Though my birth power element is Water, and my personality power element is Air, I do dabble in all four...with my own energy providing Spirit (intent).

Though, I believe that humans can achieve a level of enlightenment that would make them guardians of either an area, a bloodline, or a group. Sentient Trees can also be a type of Guardian.

Weaving Energy means you take the various Elemental Energies and blend them together towards a purpose. The strongest example I have of this is when I build my wards, I provide an anchor stone for each Element, and I use that to focus on the Element's energy, and basically weave a fence around my property of the various elemental energies, with the energy of the land providing grounding and the energy of myself and my husband providing focus and intent. Initial setup is four passes, one starting at each anchor stone. Salt for Earth, Incense for Air, a spritz of water, and a lit candle/lantern for fire. (Which reminds me, I need to get my stones made and wards set before the Dark Half starts. Gah!)

However, it's not limited to elemental energies. You can blend the energy of a few different ppl into one ritual, which is a weaving of their energies. You can take the energy of a guardian tree and a stream to cleanse something, which is a weaving. If you and a loved one cast a circle of protection, it's a weaving.

I don't know if you'll read that phrase anywhere, I tend to apply terms to my working that feel right, regardless of if they're backed by sources.

Magic is all in how you look at it. For me, I personally consider a spell to be nothing more than using my own energy to affect the world around me (unless I am including the deities, then it's much more "out of my hands"). I use chants and similar things to help me focus, but it's not 100% necessary.

Some of the rituals can help put you in a more receptive frame of mind, but it all depends how it works best for you.

Personally, I'm an eclectic pagan as well. I would suggest finding out what you feel most comfortable with first, and then worry about the intracacies of how to do magic afterwards.

I would suggest studying the different religions first before you start "magpie-ing" a religion together though. If you know why the original culture did something a certain way, then you can take it and be use it respectfully, instead of just grabbing from anything that doesn't run away fast enough.

Welcome to the Path!

Trying to create a world, even in words, is good occupational therapy for lunatics who think they're God, and an excellent argument for Polytheism. -S.M. Stirling

In a way, the prayers of the Christians are, in my view, similar to the magic castings of Pagans and Wiccans. They both seek to do the same thing. They seek to influence the Spirit(s) of the Universe, be it Christian God, Wiccan God and Goddess or Pagan Guardians, to flow in the way you wish it to go. Pray for healing or cast a shielding spell against illness - same things, different paths.

However, if you mean believe in "magic" like shown on Charmed or Buffy - I would say no, it is definately not required. Look around here and you'll see what is generally meant by magic. Sending blessings and support, casting barriers against troublesome spirits, seeking guidance about life.

I'm living in the Shadows and the Night,
Wrapped in warm darkness, safe and sure.
My Path shines by the Moon's fragile light,
It frees my Mind and keeps my Heart pure.

You don't need to do spells to be Pagan. Even my spells are nothing more than energy work and healing. For instance, for money, I would work on what is blocking a person from receiving money and heal that. I'm an energy worker/healer, though, so that is how I approach the world. You don't even need to be polytheist to be Pagan. I'm animist/pantheist, for instance.

Welcome to the forums, and happy seeking!

Crazy Healer LadyHealth and happiness to you!

The purpose of a relationship is not to have another who might complete you, but to have another with whom you might share your completeness. -CWG